“Since its establishment in 2006, the soybean fallow period has been monitored by INDEA-MT based on strict technical protocols…”
Renan Tomazele is the Technical Director of the Agricultural Defense Institute of the State of Mato Grosso (INDEA), an agronomist, with a M.Sc. from the Federal University of Pelotas and a postgraduate degree in Leadership and People Development.
Renan Tomazele, Technical Director of INDEA
AgriBrasilis – What actions does INDEA take to ensure agricultural health in Mato Grosso?
Renan Tomazele – INDEA-MT works comprehensively to promote and maintain state-level agricultural health through coordinated actions in both plant and animal health defense. In the plant health area, some of the highlighted activities include:
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Monitoring and controlling quarantine and economically significant pests: inspections and active surveillance for pests such as the boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis), Asian soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi), Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri), carambola fruit fly (Bactrocera carambolae), cacao frosty pod rot (Moniliophthora roreri), banana fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense), banana moko disease (Ralstonia solanacearum), and more recently, cassava witches’ broom disease (Rhizoctonia theobromae).
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Enforcement of the soybean and cotton fallow period: the current soybean fallow period runs from June 8 to September 6, 2025, with 2,987 inspections conducted as of July 20, 2025.
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Pesticide control and establishment registration: 1,007 businesses and 409 service providers registered (158 storage facilities, 88 drone applications, 83 manned aerial applications, 38 collection units, 29 seed treatment units, 13 ground applications).
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Use of an integrated information system (SISDEV): a digital platform that records, stores, and provides data on pesticide trade and use, seeds, production units, and inspection forms — including a mobile app with offline functionality.
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Sanitary education and training: training sessions, lectures, interviews, and distribution of educational materials targeting farmers, technicians, students, and the general public.
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Technical standardization: creation and update of technical standards in alignment with Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA), within INDEA-MT’s legal authority.
The recent hiring of approved candidates from a public civil service exam has significantly strengthened the technical operations. Additionally, new vehicles, IT equipment, and personal protective equipment (PPE) have been acquired, improving the field operations infrastructure. Still, given the vast territory and complexity of tasks, continuous assessment and supplementation of human and material resources are strategic for ensuring operational efficiency.
AgriBrasilis – What are the most critical points in plant health enforcement?
Renan Tomazele – One of the main challenges is expanding sanitary education, particularly regarding:
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The proper use of pesticides;
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The return of empty containers;
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Compliance with the fallow period;
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The sale and use of certified seeds and seedlings with guaranteed identity and quality.
Understanding and adherence to technical regulations by farmers and other stakeholders in the production chain are essential for the success of inspection activities.
“Colombia is making progress in the use of biofertilizers, in line with the growing environmental awareness in Latin America…”
AgriBrasilis – What has been the rate of noncompliance with the soybean fallow period?
Renan Tomazele – Since its implementation in 2006, the soybean fallow period has been enforced by INDEA-MT through strict technical protocols. In the last six years, the average annual number of infraction notices was 54, covering approximately 4,600 hectares per year — representing only 0.04% of the declared area in the period.
In 2025, 84 soybean leaf samples were analyzed during the fallow period, of which 30 tested positive for Asian soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) with varying severity levels.
Actions taken include:
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Immediate farmer notification for plant destruction;
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A fine of 30 UPF/MT, plus 2 UPF/MT per fined hectare;
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Submission of positive samples to INDEA-MT’s Plant Health Laboratory (LSV) for confirmation and mapping.
Value of 1 UPF/MT in July 2025: R$ 251.48
AgriBrasilis – What changed in the agronomic prescription rules in 2024/2025 and why?
Renan Tomazele – With the publication of Normative Instruction (IN) No. 002/2024, updated by IN No. 001/2025, INDEA-MT established new guidelines for the prescription and control of pesticide use in the state, highlighting:
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Creation of the Complementary Agronomic Prescription, used when technical adjustments are needed after purchase, or when part of the product is stored for later use;
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Authorization for prescriptions to be issued in both physical and digital formats, with both the issuer and user required to retain copies for two years;
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Flexibility in technical recommendations by crop or biological target, and removal of the farmer’s signature requirement;
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Mandatory entry into SISDEV, ensuring traceability;
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Permission for the complementary prescription to be issued by any legally qualified and registered professional with INDEA-MT, as long as technical and legal criteria are met.
These changes aim to reduce bureaucracy while maintaining technical rigor and product traceability.
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